Support cushion

Abstract

A support cushion to ameliorate the incidence of pressure ulcers, the support cushion comprising: an open or closed cell support structure; at least one cavity formed within the support structure; at least one vibrational device located within at least one of the cavities and imparting vibration to the support structure; a controller controlling operation of the vibrational device to adjust one or more of intensity, duration and location of vibrations in a predetermined manner according to one of a number of selected programmes, and at least one sensor adapted to map a pressure (weight) distribution map of a user. The support cushion may be adjustable in vibration intensity, duration, and location depending on the mapped pressure distribution. The mapped pressure distribution and history of vibrational intensity, duration, and location may also be logged for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

1 . A support cushion to ameliorate the incidence of pressure ulcers, the support cushion comprising:
 an open or closed cell support structure;   at least one cavity formed within the support structure;   at least one vibrational device located within at least one of the cavities and imparting vibration to the support structure;   a controller controlling operation of the vibrational device to adjust one or more of intensity, duration and location of vibrations in a predetermined manner according to a selected programme of any one of a number of selectable programmes;   at least one sensor adapted to measure a weight distribution of a user on the support cushion; and   a computer application programme that is executable by a processor on a computing device to select the selected programme and to receive data from the controller, the computing device comprising a graphical user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is a microprocessor device programmed to control the vibrational device, the vibrational device operating according to the selected programme. 
     
     
         3 . The support cushion of  claim 2 , wherein the microprocessor device is connected to a control panel having an interface which allows selection of the selected programme. 
     
     
         4 . The support cushion of  claim 3 , wherein the control panel is incorporated into the support structure and/or wirelessly connected to the microprocessor device and/or incorporated into an available computing device programmed to control the microprocessor device. 
     
     
         5 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the selected programme is customisable to adjust the intensity and/or duration and/or location of vibrations. 
     
     
         6 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is suitably used as inputs to the controller, adapted to adjust the intensity and/or duration and/or location of vibrations. 
     
     
         7 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein an indication is provided if a prolonged disproportionate distribution of weight on the support cushion is sensed. 
     
     
         8 . The support cushion of  claim 7 , wherein the computer application provides visual and/or audio reminders for movement of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the computer application program is executable on a mobile computing device wirelessly connected to the controller. 
     
     
         10 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the computer application program provides on the graphical user interface a display of a map of the weight distribution of the support cushion as sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the computer application program records, and/or provides on the graphical user interface, a pressure distribution history log of the support cushion as sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is comprised of at least one set of sensing device pairs, each of the sensing device pairs comprising at least one proximity sensor and one accelerometer. 
     
     
         13 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is comprised of four sets of sensing devices, the four sets of sensing devices arranged in a quadrant layout. 
     
     
         14 . The support cushion of  claim 13 , wherein the quadrant layout of the sensing devices monitors centre of gravity of the user to determine a symmetry of posture. 
     
     
         15 . The support cushion of  claim 14 , wherein the symmetry of posture is determined by a set of ratios between the sensing devices arranged in the quadrant layout. 
     
     
         16 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the controller turns off the at least one vibrational device when the at least one sensor determines that no user is present on the support cushion. 
     
     
         17 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the support cushion and/or the at least one vibrational device comprises at least one rechargeable battery as a power source. 
     
     
         18 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the support cushion is adapted for use as one of the following: seat cushion; wheel chair cushion; back-rest lumbar cushion; pet-bed cushion; mattress cushion. 
     
     
         19 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is comprised of one or more of; latex, polymer materials, multi-density foam, memory foam, anti-pressure gel. 
     
     
         20 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cavity is sized and shaped to receive at least one vibrational device. 
     
     
         21 . The support cushion of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one vibrational device is a cycloidal vibration device imparting cycloidal vibrational therapy to a user positioned upon the support cushion. 
     
     
         22 . The support cushion of  claim 21 , wherein the cycloidal vibration device comprises a brushless servo motor.